Validity and reliability of a light-based electronic target for testing response time in fencers

Response time is a fencing fundamental sensorimotor skill. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine the efficacy of a light-based electronic target in fencers, designed to measure and train this entity. Ninety-five fencers (M=53; F=42) were tested in regard to their response time, using a light-based electronic target, for three different attack types: simple attack, the lunge, and an attack following a 1.5-m thrust. All participants were divided into elite vs. novice fencers. Elite fencers had national and international rankings, and were again divided with regard to used weapon: épéeists (n=32; M=19; F=13) and foilists (n=30; M=13; F=17). Measurement was evaluated for validity/reliability, sensitivity/specificity, and correlation. Reliability was high for all attack types (ICC 0.94-0.96). Lower response times were found in males for two attack types with good sensitivity (81-93%)/specificity (50-91%) for all attack types. Elite fencers responded faster than novice fencers for all attack types (P<0.001), whereas elite males were faster than females for two attack types (P<0.01). Lower response times in females correlated with level for one attack type (r=0.797, P<0.05). In conclusion, the light-based electronic target system was found to be highly reliable and therefore could be used by fencing athletes as a further measure of performance

Different consecutive training protocols to design an intervention program for overweight youth: a controlled study

Objective: To find the optimal exercise program to be recommended in reducing adiposity and promoting long-term physical activity adherence in a sample of overweight adolescents. Methods: Forty-five overweight adolescents were randomly divided into three exercise groups, to perform two phases of physical activity as follows: in the first phase, the first group performed a 16-week moderate-intensity resistance training (RT), the second group performed a 16-week high-intensity RT, and the third group performed a 16-week aerobic training (AT); in the second phase, all groups performed a 6-week AT. Anthropometric body composition and fitness measures were considered as outcome measures. Results: After the second protocol, both RT groups showed a significant improvement in percentage of fat mass (F2,76= 5.843; p = 0.004; η2= 0.133) and free fat mass (F2,76= 6.254; p = 0.003; η2= 0.141), and in fitness tests (p < 0.01). The VO2max values of the RT groups were significantly higher than those of the AT group (F2,38= 4.264; p = 0.021; η2= 0.183). The rate of adherence to exercise was an average of 94% in both RT groups, whereas in the AT group, it was 83%. During the 12-week post-intervention follow-up, the number of participants who continued to perform physical activities was significantly higher in both the RT groups than in the AT group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study provides preliminary evidence that moderate-to-intense RT, followed by AT, can be an effective treatment for overweight adolescents, and the positive effects are maintained even after 12 weeks of follow-up

Enhancing behavioural changes: a narrative review on the effectiveness of a multifactorial APP-based intervention integrating physical activity

The rapid evolution of technologies is a key innovation in the organisation and management of physical activities (PA) and sports. The increase in benefits and opportunities related to the adoption of technologies for both the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the management of chronic diseases is evident. In the field of telehealth, these devices provide personalised recommendations, workout monitoring and injury prevention. The study aimed to provide an overview of the landscape of technology application to PA organised to promote active lifestyles and improve chronic disease management. This review identified specific areas of focus for the selection of articles: the utilisation of mobile APPs and technological devices for enhancing weight loss, improving cardiovascular health, managing diabetes and cancer and preventing osteoporosis and cognitive decline. A multifactorial intervention delivered via mobile APPs, which integrates PA while managing diet or promoting social interaction, is unquestionably more effective than a singular intervention. The main finding related to promoting PA and a healthy lifestyle through app usage is associated with "behaviour change techniques". Even when individuals stop using the APP, they often maintain the structured or suggested lifestyle habits initially provided by the APP. Various concerns regarding the excessive use of APPs need to be addressed

The psychophysiological effects of different tempo music on endurance versus high-intensity performances

The use of music during training represents a special paradigm for trainers to stimulate people undertaking different types of exercise. However, the relationship between the tempo of music and perception of effort during different metabolic demands is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine whether high intensity exercise is more sensitive to the beneficial effects of music than endurance exercise. This study assessed 19 active women (age 26.4 \ub1 2.6 years) during endurance (walking for 10' at 6.5 km/h on a treadmill) and high intensity (80% on 1-RM) exercise under four different randomly assigned conditions: no music (NM), with music at 90-110 bpm (LOW), with music at 130-150 bpm (MED), and with music at 170-190 bpm (HIGH). During each trial, heart rate (HR) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed. Repeated analysis of variance measures was used to detect any differences between the four conditions during high intensity and low intensity exercise. RPE showed more substantial changes during the endurance exercises (11%), than during high intensity exercise (6.5%), between HIGH and NM conditions. The metabolic demand during the walking exercise increased between NM and HIGH bpm conditions. This study indicates the benefits of music under stress conditions as well as during endurance and high intensity training. The results demonstrate that the beneficial effects of music are more likely to be seen in endurance exercise. Consequently, music may be considered an important tool to stimulate people engaging in low intensity physical exercise

A novel ABCC6 variant causative of pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is an autosomal recessive heritable disorder caused by mutations in ABCC6. We describetwo siblings showing typical skin lesions and a clinical diagnosis of pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Genetic analysis ofABCC6 revealed a novel homozygous c.4041G &gt; A variant located in the last position of exon 28 that compromises thesplicing donor site, resulting in a shorter messenger RNA. The deletion impairs the nucleotide-binding fold region,which is crucial for ABCC6 function

Effects of static and dynamic stretching on upper limb explosive, isometric and endurance strength, in male volleyball players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of both static and dynamic stretching on upper limb strength and to assess whether a cross-over inhibitory effect occurred during the time in which this effect may appear. Eighteen male volleyball players (aged 21.50, standard deviation 3.12 years) underwent the experimental protocol organized in in two sessions, one of static and the other of dynamic stretching for upper body muscles. Participants performed three specific strength tests: Ball Throwing, Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction, and Push-Up, to assess explosive, isometric and endurance strength respectively, at baseline (T0) and 10, 20 and 60 minutes after the static stretching and dynamic stretching sessions. The Ball Throwing results showed significant differences between the two stretching protocols (F1,14 = 4.967; p = 0.043; ηp2 = 0.262), among the 5 time measures (F4,58 = 7.476; p &lt; 0.001; ηp2 = 0.348), and for the interaction Protocol × Time (F4,58 = 8.258; p &lt; 0.001; ηp2 = 0.371). Maximum Voluntary Isometric Ccontraction scores showed significant differences among the time measures (F4,58 = 4.015; p = 0.006; ηp2 = 0.223) and for the interaction Session × Time (F4,58 = 2.625; p = 0.044; ηp2 = 0.158). At the Push-Up test significant differences were found only among the time measures (F4,58 = 5.634; p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.287). Static stretching may adversely affect upper limb endurance strength, whereas no changes in isometric and explosive strength were found. Dynamic stretching did not have a detrimental effect on upper limb endurance strength, whereas it may improve isometric and explosive strength

Effects of resistance training on jumping performance in pre-adolescent rhythmic gymnasts: a randomized controlled study

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two different resistance training programs on lower limb explosive and reactive strength in young female athletes. Fifty seven rhythmic gymnasts were randomly assigned to unspecific resistance training with dumbbells (12 repetition maximum squats) (n=19; age=12.0±1.8 years) or to specific resistance training with weighted belts (6% of body mass; n=18; age=11.9 ± 1.0 years). Squat jump test, counter movement jump test, hopping test, flexibility of the hip, and anthropometric measures were assessed before and after six weeks training. The main result was that both unspecific resistance training and specific resistance training protocols positively affected the jumping performance, with an increase of the lower limb explosive strength of 6-7%, with no side effects. Counter movement jump flight time increased significantly (p&lt;0.01) while hopping test ground contact time significantly decreased (p&lt;0.01). No significant differences were detected among groups for flexibility, body mass, calf and thigh circumferences. Therefore, six weeks of resistance training that integrates different elements of rhythmic gymnastics training enhance jumping ability in young female athletes